WEST Bromwich Albion fans were today given the perfect pick-me-up as Tony Mowbray signed a new three-and-a-half year contract.

ALBION fans were today given the perfect pick-me-up as Tony Mowbray signed a new three-and-a-half year contract.

The Baggies manager has committed his future to The Hawthorns until June 2011, with No.2 Mark Venus putting pen to paper on a new 12-month rolling deal.

The managerial team have become huge fans' favourites since their arrival from Hibernian back in October 2006, not least because of their philosophies on attacking football.

Mowbray said: "I'm delighted to have signed this deal. I've enjoyed the challenge of the last 16 months of trying to get the club back to where we all feel it belongs.

"We've got 15 big league games ahead of us now and it's important everyone at the club pulls together.

"The club has shown faith in what we're trying to achieve by offering us these deals and, with the continued backing of the board, we will strive to continually improve the club."

Mowbray, who was initially on a one-year rolling contract, led Albion to the play-offs last season and his Baggies side are currently lying in second place - despite a complete overhaul in playing staff during the summer.

Jeremy Peace paid tribute to the Baggies boss and hopes it will convince those outside of the Hawthorns, notably clubs who are monitoring his progress, that Mowbray is an integral part of the club's future.

"We're delighted both Tony and Mark have signed their new contracts," said Peace.

"The new deals are just reward for their efforts over the past 16 months.

"We believe Tony is one of the brightest managerial prospects around and we're really pleased to have secured his services for a further three-and-a-half years.

"It's been no surprise to us that Tony's name has been linked with jobs at a higher level.

"Any manager who does well will be coveted and it's up to us to keep him happy here.

"When we interviewed Tony he set out a vision early on how he saw a team being set up, which he's done.

"It's up to us to make sure we keep him focused and motivated, which we've moved to do by offering him this contract and giving him the platform to bring success here.

"The relationship between the chairman and manager is the most important in any football club and we enjoy a good one.

"Tony is a pleasure to work with and his brand of football has been a joy to watch.

"He has a great partnership with Mark, who has proved to be a key part of the team.

"We're all now focussing on trying to achieve our long-term goal of establishing this club in the Premiership."

The timing of Mowbray's new contract comes just a day before Bryan Robson, now with Sheffield United, returns to The Hawthorns for the first time since departure from the club.

More than 2,000 Blades fans called for Robson's head following their goalless draw against Scunthorpe.